Shopkeepers object to homeless shelter

Rotorua retailers have no problem sharing a street with sex and booze -- but they're drawing the line at homeless people.

Space above sex shop Adult World in Eruera St is being eyed as a homeless shelter but neighbouring retailers fear it would bring down the tone of the central city area.

The Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust has given Rotorua's Night Shelter Trust $20,000 on the condition that a suitable building is found. The trust has first option on the Eruera St building until the New Year.

Retailers in the street say they have no problem with the sex shop, considering it simply a retail business.

They said unsavoury types would be hanging around outside if a homeless shelter was established there.

Retail Rotorua spokesman Knocker Dean said he was disgusted by the idea of a homeless shelter in the middle of town. Mr Dean, who owns nearby Travel Smart, said the centre of town was the wrong place for a shelter.

Mr Dean said a major worry for shops in the area was people who used the shelter would congregate on public bench seats during the day.

Nightshelter Trust chairman Peter Fry said he expected the retailers to be concerned, but said people using the shelter would not hang around town during the day. Mr Fry said the shelter would have strict rules for those wanting to use it.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)